Happy Memorial Day, everybody! I hope the sun is shining for your day today.
Last night, I was chillin' and catching up with some shows on the DVR and kept half an eye on the games. I knew I was sitting at 10-4 with only the Game of the Day pick left to go. The team I had picked, the Braves, were up on the Mets, 2-1, late in the contest. I was feeling pretty good. And then Karma happened.
Yesterday, I wrote about Ike Davis who for the second year in a row, had gotten off to such a putrid start that the Mets really were in a dilemma for what to do with him. My conclusion was that the Mets should cut their losses and move on. So who came up with the bases loaded and the game on the line for the Mets? Right. Ike Davis. He won the game. The Game of the Day was gone. Hey, that is what I get I guess.
There are sixteen games being played on this Memorial day. And you know what? Five of them are night games. Having night games on a holiday is just plain wrong. Holidays are family days and all the games should be during the day. It is also interleague day all around the majors. Oh goodie. Here are your Memorial Day picks:
- The Nationals over the Orioles: The Orioles lose a bat in the lineup. They also get to face a tough left-handed pitcher in Gio Gonzalez. Jason Hammel is a decent pitcher most of the time. What the heck is up with Jim Johnson?
- The Tigers over the Pirates: Justin Verlander gets a very tough opponent in Francisco Liriano, who has come back strong this year for the Pirates. I think this game stays real close with the Tigers pulling it out by a run or two.
- The Reds over the Indians: This is a tough one. The difference could be the bullpen where the Reds shine and the Indians...uh...don't. The Indians lose a bat. Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Leake are hard to choose between.
- The Rockies over the Astros: This one does not seem like an interleague game does it? Anyway, I am going with Jhoulys Chacin over Bud Norris simply because the Rockies are a better team.
- The Brewers over the Twins: These two teams seem really similar to me. Each has a couple of very good players, a shaky rotation and not much else. The only difference in this game for me is that the Brewers are the home team. The Twins losing a bat hurts them. Kevin Correia goes for the Twins and Wily Peralta for the Brewers.
- The Royals over the Cardinals: This is my upset pick of the day. James Shields has the ability to shut down the Cardinals even if they have an extra bat in the lineup. If he can hold them to a run or two, the Royals have a chance. Of course, they face Adam Wainwright, which evens things up quite a bit.
- The Bay Rays over the Marlins: Jake Odorizzi was decent in his first start and that should be all he has to do in this one. The ultra-young, Jose Fernandez, could have a big game but the Rays are the probable winners here.
- The Rangers over the Diamondbacks: This first game of a double-header pits two really questionable starters together. The Rangers are going with Martin Perez and the Diamondbacks with Tyler Skaggs. Skaggs has never shown any ability to get any Major League batters out. Perez can on occasion though he will not last long in the game. Yeesh.
- The Giants over the Athletics: A very interesting pitching match up in this one between Madison Bumgarner and Dan Straily. Both can be very good, especially in Oakland's big ballpark. I have to go with Bumgarner.
- The Mariners over the Padres: Ugh! What a terrible choice this is. Clayton Richard!? Aaron Harang!? Oh please, this is terrible! Pick your poison. Going with the Mariners at home with a wing and a prayer. Ugh. And one other note, with a big military population in San Diego, shouldn't the Padres always be home on Memorial Day?
- The Braves over the Blue Jays: Interleague works out good for the Braves because they can get Gattis in the lineup without having to stick him in left field. Tim Hudson should be better than Mark Buehrle, but the Blue Jays are hitting really well right now. The Braves strike out too much.
- The Cubs over the White Sox: This game presents a really interesting pitching line. Jeff Samardzija simply does not get run support, but he is terrific. Carlos Quintana was brilliant his last start. I like the Cubs getting an extra bat, but do not like that Rizzo has to face a left-hander. Samardzija is my choice.
- The Red Sox over the Phillies: Good golly! I hate these pitching match ups today! Alfredo Aceves is back in Fenway. That is not appetizing. But he does get a good performance in there once in a while. The Red Sox lineup will wait out Tyler Cloyd and drive his pitch count up and then do some damage.
- The Dodgers over the Angels: Two hired guns go at each other today in C.J. Wilson and Zack Greinke. The Angels' winning streak has gotten to the point where it defies the law of averages to keep picking them day after day. The Dodgers are home, so the pick is heading their way.
- The Rangers over the Diamondbacks: The Rangers take the second game as Yu Darvish takes over and has a great game. Trevor Cahill is pitching better these days but I do not think he can keep up with Darvish or hold the Rangers' offense down in the hot air.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Yankees over the Mets: Jonathon Niese is off so far this season. All his peripherals are below his career averages including his strikeout rate, his first pitch strike rate and the amount of his pitches batters chase out of the strike zone. His velocity is the same. Phil Hughes gets to pitch in Citi Field, which should help him. The Mets are an all or nothing, swing and miss kind of lineup.
Yesterday: 10-5
Week: 10-5
Month: 199-148
Season: 428-312
Games of the Day: 35-20 (2-5 in the last seven days...grrr)
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